The Collector Book One: Mana Leak by Daniel I Russell Page B

pile of post sat on top. She pulled out a glossy magazine from between the various white and brown envelopes.
    “Ah, this month’s Physics World ! Leave it on the table, dear. I’ll read it later.”
    Anne frowned.
    “Are you sure? You usually can’t wait to sit down and flick through.”
    “I really need a shower. Didn’t get a chance to have one this morning, what with leaving so early. I smell appalling, so don’t get too close!”
    Anne shrugged and tossed the magazine onto the dining table between them.
    “We’ll, it’s there when you want it. You need anything else before you head upstairs?”
    Frank smiled.
    “A coffee would be nice.”

2.
    Frank turned the shower dial and an icy blast of water shot onto the white porcelain of the bathtub. He held his hand under the torrent, flexing his fingers and feeling the water gradually heat up. When the shower had grown a little too hot, Frank adjusted the dial.
    He stepped back, arranging the shower curtain around the inside of the bath to stop any water from escaping. The curtain was semi-opaque and already looked like a steam-filled plastic tent.
    He unfastened his tie and let it drop to the floor near to where his shoes and socks lay. After unbuttoning his shirt, he took it off, held it over his face and inhaled deeply through his nose.
    Thank God, the smell’s going. Anne probably didn’t notice after all.
    In fact, all that Frank could smell from the fabric was his own stale sweat, a result of wearing it over two hot days. He tossed the shirt onto the growing pile of discarded clothing.
    His trousers and boxer shorts were pulled down together, and his bare feet slapped the linoleum as he stepped from them. After a quick check that all his grooming implements were in the holder by the bath – shower gel, razor, shampoo and conditioner – he stepped into the tub and under the pleasantly hot torrent of water. Remembering the shower curtain, Frank pulled it shut behind him.
    The powerful spray hit him in the chest and then ran in streaming rivers down his front. He edged forwards, forcing his face into the water. The heat soothed his tight muscles and smoothed out his knotted brow.
    The water did a good job of washing away the guilt.
    He ran his hands over his face, briefly cupping them over his mouth to snatch a breath.
    A loud crash sounded beyond the curtain.
    He jumped back, nearly losing his footing in the slippery bathtub. The noise had sounded like the toilet seat slamming down.
    He turned away from the steaming jet of water and poked his head through the gap in the shower curtain.
    The toilet seat was indeed down.
    Did I leave it up?
    He checked that the bathroom door remained shut and he was sure no one had come in.
    It must have been one of the kids. Or the dog, out on the landing. Christ, I hope that nothing’s been broken.
    Happy with his deduction, Frank pulled the curtain closed again and stepped back under the shower.
    We’ll need to have words after this. I’m not having the kids run riot. I’ll not allow them to do as they please all the time. Anne’s too soft on them.
    He failed to hear them playing outside the bathroom, or the idiot dog barking, which it did too often in his opinion. Only the hiss of the shower nozzle and the echoing splatter of the water as it hit the tub accompanied his breaths.
    Frank reached into the toiletry holder and withdrew a black plastic bottle of shower gel. He squirted a small amount of the clear green liquid into the palm of his hand and rubbed it into his chest, creating a thick lather.
    BANG! BANG!
    He froze as the noise thundered around the small bathroom.
    BANG! BANG! BANG!
    Frank turned off the shower, reducing the heavy jet to a weak trickle.
    “Bloody kids!” he hissed.
    He turned to his side, intending to step out.
    A small figure in white stood inches away on the other side of the curtain, watching him.
    Frank jerked back, his feet losing their grip on the slippery bath. His legs slid forwards